Hot 100 – Tv Broadcasters, Kartikeya Sharma, CEO, iTV Network

He came, he saw and now he is now gearing up to conquer. ITV Network is known for its regional news channels, like India News and News X. …

He came, he saw and now he is now gearing up to conquer. ITV Network is known for its regional news channels, like India News and News X. Kartikeya Sharma knew that to break into the big boys club he would need a firm toe hold in the non-news genre. Last year, ITV Networks partnered with Trilogic Digital Media Limited, which manages the operations, marketing and distribution of Sahara One, Filmy and FTV. He also decided to up the ante by launching NewsX HD as a commercial-free, subscription-based channel on Tata Sky. Terming the move audacious, he said, “While the industry is moving towards FTA in news, we launched a digital product for the satellite market. It has a third screen integrated within the content itself and we are now devising HD content to increase viewer stickiness,” he added.

Last year, ITV invested heavily in technology – whether for the HD rollout, digital integration of the third screen, the 4K setup, or its animation studio, in preparation for the introduction of Mum Mum TV on digital and satellite media shortly. It is also launching Insight this month, a UHD factual entertainment channel. On the news side, it will foray into more eastern and west in regional languages.